China announced three astronauts to take on the mission of walking into space

China has announced the names of three astronauts to be present on Shen Chau VII, in the launch of the country's third manned spacecraft with a mission to walk into space.

A 42-year-old astronaut, Zhai Zhigang, was chosen to conduct China's first spacewalk walk. Mr. Zhai and two other astronauts, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, will fly on the Shenzhou VII ship - expected to be launched in space at 2110 local time on September 25.

The Xinhua news agency said pilots are completing the final preparations for the trip.

The space walk is expected to be broadcast live, using cameras inside and outside the spacecraft. The astronaut Zhai will take a walk outside the Shenzhou VII ship for 40 minutes on the afternoon of September 26 or 27.

When the Shenzhou VII ship entered Earth's orbit, air force pilot Zhai Zhigang, who was married and had one child, would step into a vacuum module with another traveler. The other crew member will then help Zhai wear a space suit, thought to be worth about $ 15 million.

This outfit is largely designed by Russia. But two other cosmic costumes - one designed by China and one from Russia - will also be put on Shenzhou VII.

Liu Boming is the first substitute for the space walk. All three pilots turned 42 this year.

Ambition to conquer the universe

This is the third time, China has launched manned ships into space. In 2003, China became the third country in the world to bring people into space after the Soviet Union and the United States.

Two years later, China brought two more astronauts into space on a five-day trip on Shenzhou VI.

Local newspapers reported that this trip is the "most important step" in China's 3-phase space program.

These three phases include: Putting people into orbit, creating a small laboratory, and finally building their own larger space station - the third station after the US and the Soviet Union.

The mission ships Than Chau VIII and IX are expected to help build a space station in 2010.

Last year, China also launched an unmanned lunar explorer ship, just a month before its Japanese rival successfully launched its first moon exploration ship.